Quartz
Quartz is the most abundant and most used mineral in crystal therapy, gemmotherapy and spiritual practice. Clear quartz (transparent rock crystal) is considered the "master stone": amplifies, transmits, balances and stores energy. Many varieties exist (rose quartz, smoky quartz, citrine, amethyst — all are quartz with different impurities).
Origin and properties
The word "quartz" comes from the German Quarz, of medieval mining origin. Chemically it is silicon dioxide (SiO₂) — the most abundant material on the Earth's crust. Has piezoelectric property: when subjected to mechanical pressure, generates electrical voltage (this is why it is used in electronic watches, devices and microphones). For esoteric tradition, this property reflects its energetic capacity: receives, transforms and emits energies.
Crystal use is millennia old: ancient Egypt (sacred amulets, especially scarabs in lapis lazuli and quartz), Mesopotamia (engraved cylinder seals), pre-Columbian American cultures (Aztec sacred crystals, Mayan crystal balls), traditional China (jade and various quartzes for ritual use), shamanic traditions worldwide. Modern crystal therapy consolidated since the 1970s with the New Age movement and the popularisation of "lithotherapy".
The quartz family
Clear quartz (rock crystal): master stone, amplifies any energy, balances all chakras, programmable for specific intentions. Use universal. Amethyst: violet quartz, third eye and crown chakras, calming, spiritual, against insomnia. Rose quartz: pink quartz, heart chakra, unconditional love, healing of broken hearts. Smoky quartz: greyish quartz, root chakra, grounding, protection against negative energies. Citrine: yellow quartz, solar plexus chakra, abundance, joy, manifestation.
Other variants: tiger eye (variant with bands of compacted asbestos, courage and personal power), aventurine (green, prosperity and luck), rutilated quartz (with golden rutile inclusions, master energy), ametrine (combination of amethyst and citrine, harmonisation), milky quartz (white, calm and serenity). Each one with its own energetic personality.
How to use quartzes
Cleansing: when arriving home a new quartz, cleanse it (smoke of palo santo or sage, salt water, sun for short periods, full moon all night, soil for 24h). It is also recommended to cleanse it periodically. Loading: charge it with intention (hold it, formulate clearly its purpose, breathe over it). Use: carry on the body (pocket, necklace, ring, bra), place in significant spaces (workplace, bedroom, meditation altar), put on chakras during meditation. Programming: clear quartz can be specifically programmed for an intention (love, abundance, healing, protection). Discharge periodically.
Also known as
- Rock crystal
- Crystal
- Silicate quartz